Tame Impala + Stardeath and White Dwarfs

19.Nov.2010 - New York

As Tame Impala led off with “It Is Not Meant to Be”--the opening track from their debut full-length record Innerspeaker--in a very laid back tempo, it was clear the young, skinny, scrappy quartet of Aussies was in no hurry.

Stardeath and White Dwarfs have picked up a number of moves from their rock mentors, The Flaming Lips. Like color-coordinated gear and DIY lighting rigs. Similarly the band’s sound was a beautiful, head banging clash of distortion, electronics, acoustic guitar, and a pummeling rhythm section. Though their opening ode to Mary Jane was sort of juvenile, the quickly moved on to stronger songs like “New Heat”. There was also an impossibly great drum and bass duet that laid down its introductory groove. Lead by the tassel-clad and snow boot wearing Dennis Coyne (yes, he’s related to Wayne Coyne) Stardeath and White Dwarfs proved a perfectly complimentary opener.

As Tame Impala led off with “It Is Not Meant to Be”—the opening track from their debut full-length record Innerspeaker—in a very laid back tempo, it was clear the young, skinny, scrappy quartet of Aussies was in no hurry. The group patiently explored the hazy boundaries of their psychedelic songs, showing how their fledging repertoire was a strength. Seemingly loose songs and interludes heavy on flangers and phasers were in fact firmly held down by a relentless rhythm section. It was Nick Allbrook’s bass, however, that was the group’s main melodic force. Paired with the Jay Watson’s cascading drum fills, the guitars of lead singer Kevin Parker and Dominic Simper filled the space with trippy, undulating thrums. (That Parker had lost his voice also laid emphasis on the band’s instrumental tangents.) As the band’s quiet focus and vintage sound gradually won over the crowd, so did its earnestness. As the set wound down Parker announced that they “don’t know any encores, so it’ll be the end when it’s the end.” Which turned out to be soon after “Desire Be, Desire Go”, prompting many to walk out with LP’s tucked under their arms.